January 24, 2011

List of the Day: Just for Fun - Favorite Nicknames

Part 1

Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd & Noland "Super Gnat" Smith

Just for something fun and a bit different, here is a list of twenty of my favorite pro football player nicknames – some have been favorites for many years, others I’ve discovered in the course of my researching. These are by-and-large not ranked, and another installment will follow later in the week.

Dick “Night Train” LaneThe Hall of Fame defensive back with the Rams, Cardinals, and Lions from 1952-65 had an all-time great nickname.

Gene “Big Daddy” LipscombA memorable 6’6”, 284 pound defensive lineman for the Rams, Colts, and Steelers from 1953-62, was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times before coming to an untimely end.

Jack “Hacksaw” ReynoldsSpent a decade at LB for the Rams, then helped the 49ers win two championships.

Noland “Super Gnat” SmithThe 5’5”, 154-pound WR/KR once returned a kickoff 106 yards for the Chiefs in his brief career.

“The Catawba Claw”, Bucky PopeA one-year wonder with the Rams in 1964 with 25 catches for a 31.4-yard average gain and 10 TDs.

“Broadway Joe” NamathNo introduction necessary. The nickname fit the quarterback and the celebrity.

“Super Bill” BradleyA free-spirited free safety for the Eagles who led the NFL in interceptions in 1971 and ’72 and went to three Pro Bowls.

L.G. “Long Gone” DupreHB with the Colts in their 50s championship years and then an original member of the Cowboys.

Ken “The Snake” StablerDaring and exciting quarterback for the Raiders, Oilers, and Saints

Ross “Timber Beast” CarterLineman for the Cardinals from 1936-39.

"Night Train" Lane

"Broadway Joe"

"The Catawba Claw"

John “Shipwreck” KellyAll-purpose back who led the NFL in pass receiving with Brooklyn in 1933.

Clyde “Smackover” ScottHB on both offense and defense, primarily with the Eagles from 1949-52.

Paul “Tank” YoungerA 6’3”, 225-pound FB/LB who played primarily with the Rams from 1949-58.

Jim “Cannonball” ButlerRB/KR, primarily with the Steelers and Falcons from 1965-72.

Danny “Lightning” BuggsPlayed with the Giants and Redskins in the NFL, Edmonton in the CFL, but had his best season with Tampa Bay in the USFL.

Joe “Big Bird” Lavender6’4”, 190-pound CB who started out with the Eagles in 1973 but had his best years in Washington.

Len “Bear Tracks”/“Feets” BarnumTwo great nicknames for the otherwise-forgettable all-purpose back and kicker for the Giants and Eagles from 1938-42.

Ernie “Big Cat” Ladd6’9” and listed as high as 315 pounds, he was considered the biggest player in pro football with the Chargers, Oilers, and Chiefs from 1961-68.

“The Beast”, E.J. HolubPlayed both center and linebacker during his AFL career with the Dallas Texans/KC Chiefs from 1961-70.

Billy “White Shoes” JohnsonExciting kick returner as well as wide receiver, mostly with the Oilers and Falcons from 1974-87.